Lila Ruth Bell Peterson

Lila Ruth Bell Peterson, age 94, died at her Galveston home on March 12, 2021. Lila was born in Smiley, Texas on May 22, 1926, where she lived on her father's chicken farm, which was the largest hatchery in Texas in 1936. Lila grew up loving animals, the outdoors, and sports. When she began attending college, she wanted to major in Physical Education, but her father persuaded her to major in Business Administration. She graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration when she was only 18 years of age. She had the intelligence and the athletic ability to major in either field. She earned her F.A.A. pilot's license when she was only 19. Lila moved to Galveston in 1945, where she first worked in an oil refinery's office before she met and married Robert E. Peterson, who was her loving husband of 47 years. Lila and Robert dedicated their lives to raising their family of three children. She later began working in the Business Office of the Galveston Independent School District and then later as an Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. She retired in 1982.

Lila had many interests and hobbies. She loved gardening, especially her prized bluebonnets, which are now blooming in her yard and at the DRT Cradle. She loved playing games especially Bridge & Mahjong as well as board games with her family.

She loved to travel with her family and friends. Some of her favorite trips were with family to Europe, China, Australia and Hawaii, as well as many other vacations throughout the United States. Lila loved to cruise, including three Elvis cruises. Elvis was one of her favorite singers.

She was passionate about tennis. She had been a member of her college team, and she continued to play until she was 88 years of age with Connie Schultz and other friends. Many of her tennis highlights were attending the Wimbledon Championships in 2000, the Davis Cup finals in Portland, Oregon in 2007, the BNP Paribas Open in Palm Desert, California in 2017, the Tennis Masters Cup in 2003 and several Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston. Anyone who knew Lila could expect the tennis channel to be on her TV until the day she died.

Lila was also a consummate seamstress and quilter. She made beautiful clothes for her children and delighted her grandson Gus with custom-made shirts. Lila began quilting in 1992, at the age of 66, at Quilts by the Bay in Galveston.  She soon became good friends with the owner Patricia Stephenson, working in her shop until Hurricane Ike hit in 2008. During that time, she made many life-long quilting friends. Lila made more than 200 quilts since she first began. She was a member of the Galveston Island Quilt Guild for many years, and was honored by the Guild with an exhibit of her quilts in 2017. They will now be treasured heirlooms for her children and grandchildren.

Lila was also proud of her ancestry. Lila had four ancestors who fought in the Texas Revolution, and she was a member of the Sydney Sherman Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Lila participated actively in her chapter's activities and was a proud member of its Cradle Committee. Four of her patriots also fought in the American Revolutionary War, and she was a member of the George Washington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Lila was also a member of the Pilot Club of Galveston, where she was honored by being named as "Sweetheart" in 1991 for her dedication & hard work.

Most important, though, to Lila was her role as a loving and caring wife and mother. She lived by her favorite motto that "Family is Everything." Every member of her family knew that Lila deeply and unconditionally loved them. She also cared greatly for her friends. All of her family and friends will sorely miss her but will cherish her memory.

Lila was preceded in death by her parents, her three siblings, and her husband Robert Edward Peterson. She is survived by her daughters Gloria A. Mikulenka and husband Mike of Richmond, Texas; Cynthia J. Peterson and husband Gary Simms of Ashland, Oregon; and son Robert (Bobby) E. Peterson, Jr. and wife Carol of Tomball, Texas. Lila is also survived by her grandchildren Kim Soika, Lisa Mikulenka, Misty Milner, Jackie Todd, Ryan Peterson, and Garrison (Gus) Simms and by her great-grandchildren Alex Featherston, Reece Peterson, Kyillah Peterson, and Lexi Todd.

Pallbearers will be Mike Mikulenka, Gary Simms, Alex Featherston, Gus Simms, Ryan Peterson, and Morris Bell.

Lila's family extends their sincerest gratitude to her home healthcare workers, especially her "Dream Team," who took such good care of her, and to the staff at Davita Island Dialysis, especially Jim.

Lila's family requests that any donations be made to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas "The Cradle" (P.O. Box 3268; Galveston, TX 77552) or to the charity of your choice.

A viewing will be held at Carnes Brothers Funeral Home, 1201 Tremont, on Thursday, March 18, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

The family and friends will gather to celebrate her life at Carnes Brothers on Friday, the 19th, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a procession to Grace Memorial Park Cemetery at 10708 Highway 6 in Hitchcock.

Face masks are requested, and the family thanks everyone in advance for wearing a mask.